The Barenaked Ladies have come along way since their first album, Gordon, hit the block when I was a freshman in High School (This Is Me In Grade 9 still holds a special place in my heart.). Along the way, they’ve always been vocal about supporting causes; especially those related to the environment. Their latest album, Barenaked Ladies Are Me, has a sound that returns the group to its roots — much more indie and less commercial than, say, Five Weeks. The packaging for the CD is environmentally friendly, and the group even offered USB Keys or downloads in lieu of purchasing a disc.

Grist Magazine recently sat down with Steven Page, one of the lead vocalists for the band. They chat about BNL’s decision to partner with non-profit Reverb to create an eco-village during their concerts, the opportunity for concert fans to purchase stickers to off-set their travels, and their efforts to introduce green practices to the industry. Here’s a small excerpt:

Q: What cities do you see as models or enjoy going to because of how they’re set up?

A: When I’m in another city — well, I think about a city that’s sprawled like crazy, like Houston — it just feels like it’s soulless in a sense. And I know it’s not truly soulless, because the soul in cities like Houston or even Los Angeles often lives in the less-dominant cultures. … A city that embraces all those cultures and the different neighborhoods — the cities made up of neighborhoods, I think, are the ones that truly work. I kinda like Chicago, for that reason.

About Michael dEstries

Michael has been blogging since 2005 on issues such as sustainability, renewable energy, philanthropy, and healthy living. He regularly contributes to a slew of publications, as well as consulting with companies looking to make an impact using the web and social media. He lives in Ithaca, NY with his family on an apple farm.